The determinants of fintech emergence: A cross country study

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2019

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: MERİÇ YILDIZ KOÇER

Danışman: Seza Danışoğlu

Özet:

The emergence of Financial Technology (Fintech) entrepreneurship differs across countries over the years. This thesis explores the determinants of Fintech entrepreneurship that emerged in the last decade. To illustrate the effects of possible determinants three historically connected model in Entrepreneurship theory is used.  

The first model relates the level of Fintech entrepreneurship to economic development level where the relationship is found to be positive. The second model argues that a regime switching effect occurs due to technological development. Consequently, the widespread usage of mobile phone has created a demand increase in alternative financial services products and hence motivates the talented individuals to establish Fintech startups. The third model is inspired from Verheul et al’s Eclectic Theory of Entrepreneurship (2002) which explains determinants of Entrepreneurship by combining different disciplinary approaches based on a supply and demand framework. Analogously, the supply and demand factors used in the eclectic model proposed in this thesis are compiled from qualitative academic researches and practitioner reports about Fintech.

This thesis shows that while Fintech entrepreneurship is positively influenced by high economic development level, mobile phone subscription, available traditional financial services, and government interventions such as availability of Venture Capital, supportive STEM education, and business friendly environment, it is negatively affected by the affordable traditional financial services in developed countries.

In conclusion, along with its parallel findings to existing qualitative studies on Fintech, this thesis is contributing to the entrepreneurship literature by providing evidence that the main principles of entrepreneurship theory are applicable to this particular field.